Philip Deibel

9.5

Philip had this 3 years ago

with Mike

Philip Deibel

9.7

My review did not post previously for some reason. This is a very impressive wine. Even over several hours it was continuing to open up and show additional layers. I wish we had saved some for the following night but we couldn’t help but finish it! From a small lieu-dit on the right bank next to Pavie and Troplong-Mondot. I had specific thoughts last month but they will have to wait for the next bottle. But I HIGHLY recommend Component wines. Actually, I recommend anything by Michael Kennedy. He has a Napa and Bordeaux line, along with the newly announced Gagnon-Kennedy brand from historic Napa sources. Come along for the ride! — 5 years ago

Philip Deibel

9.6

I have become a big Patria fan. The Avoyelles is a cab franc dominant blend, along with 35% CS and 9% petit verdot. It just smells and tastes soooo very good. Manages to impress on every front: beautiful floral aromatics, minerality, fine-grained tannins and a long finish. Extremely balanced and highly recommended. — 5 years ago

Philip Deibel

9.4

Philip had this 3 years ago

with Mike

Philip Deibel

8.8

I am starting to lose patience with Jonata. Either I open one of their other bottlings and it seems way too early, or I open more of an entry-level wine and don’t enjoy it. I’m not sure if I am a fan of this style of blend. Mostly Syrah with a good portion of Sangiovese, along with 4 other varietals. Disjointed and confused, almost a bit sour. I like to think of wines as shapes when describing mouthfeel, and I am not lying when I say that about halfway through the mid palate this one turns downwards and creates a :-( — 5 years ago

Philip Deibel

9.5

We enjoyed this bottle last night, but this is a much cooler picture. Earlier this year my sister was invited to a fundraiser in LA where a friend purchased every seat at Thomas Keller’s table. Not only did her friend invite her to come with her boyfriend, but he also invited her to bring our parents. After Christmas I wanted to let her take a bottle back to LA for the dinner. It was a hard decision, but I went with some old world class. It turns out that he knows the producer well and is a big fan! Phew! I’ll be honest, I was blown away by Alban’s Reva, but then we opened this and it just screamed class. Such a refined and elegant beast. Balanced/Seamless. — 5 years ago

Philip Deibel

9.1

One of (the only?) the only whites made by Heidi Barrett, this is a really great Chardonnay. No noticeable oak, which is my personal new requirement. Slightly sweeter than I remembered but very balanced with good acidity and minerality (I don’t care if this term is falling out of favor amongst the “experts”, as it still describes how a wine feels to me!) — 5 years ago

Philip Deibel

9.3

Home alone for 24 hrs! The perfect time to open something older. Fully mature Bordeaux... I mean Napa! Dried fruit and tobacco, there is still a frame of tannins but they are well integrated and slightly chalky in texture. Enjoyable but more mature than I prefer. — 5 years ago

Philip Deibel

9.5

This is about the sexiest pop and pour that I could imagine. Oozing silkiness with completely integrated tannins without a hint of oxidation. It boasts a molten core of blueberry chocolate with a sweetness that tastes nothing like sugar. Sooo good. Only made in certain vintages.... whenever Jayson feels like it from what I can gather! — 5 years ago

Philip Deibel

9.1

Very enjoyable Pinot. Great depth with restrained ripeness. — 5 years ago